Spring tread

ABSTRACT

A spring tread for diving into a swimming pool is formed with a base mounted near the edge of the pool and resilient spring arms that curve upward from the base away from the pool, loop toward the pool above the base, and curve downward to where their free ends are connected by a tread resiliently disposed within stepping distance from the base toward the pool. Spring bands extend from the rear of the base to the free ends of the spring arms and join to the tread.

United States Patent [191 Wilson, deceased Mar. 5, 1974 SPRING TREAD [76] Inventor: John C. Wilson, deceased, late of P.O. 130, Homewood-Ln., Rochester, NY. 14609 by Margaret 1. Wilson, executrix [22] Filed: Dec. 26, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 318,232

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-in-part of Ser, No. 109,530, Jan. 25,

52 us. Cl. 272/66 511 lnt. Cl A63b 5/10 58 Field of Search 272/65, 66

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,083,965 4/1963 Jewett 272/66 Jewett 272/66 Densmore 272/66 Primary ExaminerRichard C. Pinkham Assistant Examiner-Joseph R. Taylor Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Cumpston, Shaw & Stephens [57] ABSTRACT A spring tread for diving into a swimming pool is formed with a base mounted near the edge of the pool and resilient spring arms that curve upward from the base away from the pool, loop toward the pool above the base, and curve downward to where their free ends are connected by a tread resiliently disposed within stepping distance from the base toward the pool. Spring bands extend from the rear of the base to the free ends of the spring arms and join to the tread.

16 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTED 51974 SHEEI 1 0F 2 3 INVENOK ATTORNEYS 1 SPRING TREAD RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation-in-part of my parentitled: SPRING TREAD, and abandoned upon the filing of this application.

INVENTI-V E IMPROVEMENT Diving boards for diving into swimming pools have been relatively long, heavy, cumbersome, and have consumed considerable space in their mounting and operation. These requirements have made diving boards inappropriate for most above-the-ground swimming pools, and have also made diving boards fairly expensive pool accessories.

The invention involves recognition of a way to achieve a resilient spring tread suitable for diving without consuming much mounting or operating space. The

spring tread devised by the invention is mountable in a small region next to the edge of a pool so that it can be used even on above-ground pools. The invention aims at a resilient spring tread sufficiently springy for diving and yet compact, simple, economical, and easily mounted near the edge of any pool. The invention also seeks a rugged, sturdy, wear-resistant, long-lived, weather-resistant, safe, and enjoyable spring tread.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The inventive spring tread has a base with a forward end facing a swimming pool and a rearward end facing away from the swimming pool, and a pair of resilient, cantilever spring arms are secured to the base and spaced far enough apart to straddle a person. The spring arms curve upward from the rearward region of the base, curve over the forward end of the base in their upper regions, and curve downward to terminate in movable ends spaced above and forward of the forward end of the base. A pair of resilient spring bands spaced apart approximately by the spacing of the spring arms are secured to the base and curve upward from the rearwardregion of the base and extend forward over the forward end of the base to the region of the movable ends of the spring arms. A tread is secured to the spring bands to extend laterally between the spring bands and between the movable ends of the spring arms, and the spring bands are joined to the movable ends of the spring arms.

DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a persepective view of a preferred embodiment of the inventive spring tread;

FIG. 2 is a partially schematic, partially fragmentary, elevational view of the spring tread of FIG. I mounted at the edge of a swimming pool;

FIG. 3 is a partially fragmentary, partially schematic, front elevational view of the spring tread of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of another preferred embodiment of the inventive spring tread; and

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the spring tread of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION A first preferred embodiment of the inventive spring tread is shown in FIGS. I 3 andincludes a base 11 for mounting in place near the edge 12 of a swimming pool 13. Base 11 includes a pair of feet 14 that are spaced apart as illustrated and formed to rest on pool edge 12. Fasteners l5 secure feet 14 in place on pool edge 12.

A step 16 preferably connects feet 14 to complete base 11 as a sturdy, rigid mounting support for spring tread 10. The top surface of step 16 is preferably formed as a non-skid surface, and step 16 is preferably elevated a few inches above pool edge 12.

A pair of resilient, cantilever spring arms 17 extend from base 11 as illustrated, and are spaced far enough apart to straddle a person. Proceeding from base 11,

spring arms 17 curve upward away from pool 13, loop toward pool 13 above base 11, and curve downward toward pool 13 to terminate in free ends 118. The upper loop portion of spring arms 17 is preferably hand-rail height above step 16, and spring arms 17 are preferably gradually reduced in cross-sectional area as they extend away from base 11 toward their cantilevered, free ends 18.

A tread 20 connects the free. ends 18 of spring arms 17, and tread 20 is disposed within stepping distance from step 16 on base 11. The upper surface of tread 20 preferably has a non-skid surface, and tread 20 is resiliently disposed for vertical springing and bouncing action at the ends 18 of spring arms 17, as shown by the arrows in FIG. 2. l

A pair of spring bands 21 are preferably arranged to curve generally toward pool 13 from the region of the base ends of spring arms 17 to he region of the free ends 18 of spring arms 17, as illustrated. Spring bands 21 are spaced apart, preferably the same distance as spring arms 17, and are preferably joined to spring arms 17 in the region of step 16, and the ends of tread 20. Spring bands 21 give tread 20 lateral or horizontal stability and yet allow free vertical springing motion for diving.

The fact that spring arms 17 are approximately balanced above base 11 to dispose tread 20 near base 11 means that relatively little stress is placed on base 11 compared to a conventional diving board mount. This allows spring tread 10 to be mounted in a small space near the edge of any pool without heavy and spaceconsuming mounting equipment.

Spring tread 10 is preferably formed of resilient plastic material, resin-bonded glass fibers, or other resilient material that is strong, sturdy, weather-resistant, and resilient enough to give tread 20 the proper springiness for diving. Step 16 and tread 20 are preferably selfdraining.

A person using spring tread 10 steps between spring arms 17 onto step 16 where the upper loop portions of spring arms 17 serve as handrails if desired. The person then steps or jumps onto tread 20 and bounces to force tread 20 downward as spring arms 17 and spring bands 21 are flexed. The person then dives or leaps upward and outward from tread 20 as it springs vertically back upward.

Step 16 is preferred to connect feet 14 and provide a convenient step for approaching tread 20. However, step 16 can be eliminated if desired. Also, devices other than spring bands 21 can be used to give tread 20 the desired lateral stability, or such stability can be designed into spring arms 17 themselves, to eliminate spring bands 21 if desired.

Experience with the invention has produced another preferred embodiment 30 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Spring tread 30 follows the basic ideas of spring tread as described above, but has some advantages in durability and more economical manufacture.

The base for spring tread 30 is formed as a pair of hollow feet 31 that have the same shape for each side. Feet 31 have hollow bottoms and openings 32 at their upper rear ends. The forward ends 33 of feet 31 face toward a swimming pool, and the rearward ends 34 face away from the pool. Fasteners 35 and 36 secure the ends of feet 31 to a surface adjacent a pool, and fasteners 35 and 36 are preferably bolts or screws.

A pair of spring arms 37 each having the same shape have their fixed ends secured under the inside of the forward ends 33 of feet 31, preferably with fastener 36 extending through each spring arm 37. Spring arms 37 then extend rearwardly inside of feet 31 and curve upward out of openings 32 to loop over the top of feet 31 as illustrated and curve downward to terminate in movable ends 38 that are forward and above the forward ends 33 of feet 31. A pair of spring bands 39 are superposed over spring arms 37 inside of feet 31 to extend from the forward end of feet 31 rearwardly and curve upwardly out of openings 32 to extend forward to terminate at ends 40 near the ends 38 of spring arms 37.

A step 41 extends between feet 31 as illustrated, and step 41 preferably has a brace 42 supporting it above the poo] edge. A tread 43 is secured to spring bands 39 as illustratedto extend laterally between spring bands 39 and between the free ends 38 of spring arms 37. Resilient hinge pieces 44 are secured to the ends 40 of spring bands '39 and the ends 38 of spring arms 37 to secure ends 38 and 40 flexibly together. Tread 43 preferably extends forward of ends 38, and spring bands 39 can also extend forward of ends 38 if desired. Hinge pieces 44 are preferably formed of a synthetic plastic material having a long flex life to make spring tread 39 durable and flexible throughout many years of use.

Other resilient hinge pieces can be used to connect ends 38 and 40, and any such connector is preferably resilient and flexible to allow relative movement between ends 38 and 40.

Many of the suggestions made above relative to spring tread 10 also apply to spring tread 30, especially as to materials, curvatures, tread surfaces, drainage, and operation. The advantages of spring tread 30 are identical from left to right to simplify the parts required in construction. Also, spring arms 37 and spring bands 39 are trapped and anchored in a simple and convenient way inside of feet 31 for a solid and secure mount.

Many variations are possible in the construction and mounting of spring tread 30 along the general lines suggested. For example, feet 31 and step 41 can be formed as a single integral piece, and a different connector can be used for flexiblyjoining ends 38 and 40. Spring arms 37 converge somewhat as shown in FIG. 5 so that the space betweem them is narrower at their movable ends 38 than at the rear ends of feet 31. Spring bands 39 have a corresponding inward taper, but arms 37 and bands 39 could also be parallel if desired.

Persons wishing to practice the invention should remember that other embodiments and variations can be adapted to particular circumstances. Even though one point of view is necessarily chosen in describing and defining the invcntion, this should not inhibit broader or related embodiments going beyond the semantic orientation of this application but falling within the spirit of the invention. For example, those skilled in the art will c. said spring arms being formed to curve upward from the region of said rearward end of said base, curve over said forward end of said base in an upper region of said spring arms, and curve downward to terminate in movable ends spaced above and forward of said forward end of said base;

d. a pair of resilient spring bands spaced apart by approximately said spacing of said spring arms, said spring bands being secured to said base and curving upward from said rearward region of said base and forward over said forward end of said base to the region of said movable ends of said spring arms;

e. a tread secured to said spring bands to extend laterally between said spring bands and between said movable ends of said spring arms; and

f. means for joining said spring bands to said movable ends of said spring arms.

2. The spring tread of claim 1 including a step on said base below and rearward of said tread.

3. The spring tread of claim 2 wherein said spring arms in said upper region are handrail height above said step.

4. The spring tread of claim 1 wherein said tread extends forward of said movable ends of said spring arms, and the forward ends of said spring bands are joined to said movable ends of said spring arms.

5. The spring tread of claim 1 wherein said joining means comprises flexible hinge means connecting the forward ends of said spring bands and said movable ends of said spring arms.

6. The spring tread of claim 5 wherein said spacing of said spring arms narrows from said rearward end of said base to said movable ends of said spring arms.

7. The spring tread of claim 1 wherein said base comprises a pair of spaced-apart feet, and said spring arms and said spring bands are secured respectively to said feet.

8. The spring tread of claim 7 wherein said feet have substantially hollow bottoms and an opening in said rearward region, and said spring arms extend rearwardly from inside said forward ends of said feet and up through said openings.

9. The spring tread of claim 8 including fasteners extending through said forward and rearward end regions of said feet, with said forward end fasteners extending through said spring arms.

10. The spring tread of claim 8 wherein said spring bands are superposed over said spring arms inside said feet and extend rearwardly from inside said forward end regions of said feet and up through said openings.

11. The spring tread of claim 1 wherein said spacing of said spring arms narrows from said rearward end of said base to said movable ends of said spring arms.

12. The spring tread of claim 1 wherein said tread extends forward of said movable ends of said spring arms, and said joining means comprises flexible hinge means openings.

15. The spring .tread of claim 14 including fasteners extending through said forward and rearward end regions of said feet, with said forward end fasteners extending through said spring arms.

16. The spring tread of claim 15 wherein said spring bands are superposed over said spring arms inside said feet and extend rearwardly from inside said forward end regions of said feet and up through said openings. 

1. A spring tread comprising: a. a base having a forward end for facing a swimming pool and a rearward end for facing away from said swimming pool; b. a pair of resilient, cantilever spring arms secured to said base and spaced far enough apart to straddle a person; c. said spring arms being formed to curve upward from the region of said rearward end of said base, curve over said forward end of said base in an upper region of said spring arms, and curve downward to terminate in movable ends spaced above and forward of said forward end of said base; d. a pair of resilient spring bands spaced apart by approximately said spacing of said spring arms, said spring bands being secured to said base and curving upward from said rearward region of said base and forward over said forward end of said base to the region of said movable ends of said spring arms; e. a tread secured to said spring bands to extend laterally between said spring bands and between said movable ends of said spring arms; and f. means for joining said sprinG bands to said movable ends of said spring arms.
 2. The spring tread of claim 1 including a step on said base below and rearward of said tread.
 3. The spring tread of claim 2 wherein said spring arms in said upper region are handrail height above said step.
 4. The spring tread of claim 1 wherein said tread extends forward of said movable ends of said spring arms, and the forward ends of said spring bands are joined to said movable ends of said spring arms.
 5. The spring tread of claim 1 wherein said joining means comprises flexible hinge means connecting the forward ends of said spring bands and said movable ends of said spring arms.
 6. The spring tread of claim 5 wherein said spacing of said spring arms narrows from said rearward end of said base to said movable ends of said spring arms.
 7. The spring tread of claim 1 wherein said base comprises a pair of spaced-apart feet, and said spring arms and said spring bands are secured respectively to said feet.
 8. The spring tread of claim 7 wherein said feet have substantially hollow bottoms and an opening in said rearward region, and said spring arms extend rearwardly from inside said forward ends of said feet and up through said openings.
 9. The spring tread of claim 8 including fasteners extending through said forward and rearward end regions of said feet, with said forward end fasteners extending through said spring arms.
 10. The spring tread of claim 8 wherein said spring bands are superposed over said spring arms inside said feet and extend rearwardly from inside said forward end regions of said feet and up through said openings.
 11. The spring tread of claim 1 wherein said spacing of said spring arms narrows from said rearward end of said base to said movable ends of said spring arms.
 12. The spring tread of claim 1 wherein said tread extends forward of said movable ends of said spring arms, and said joining means comprises flexible hinge means connecting the forward ends of spring bands to said movable ends of said spring arms.
 13. The spring tread of claim 12 including a step on said base below and rearward of said tread, and wherein said spring arms in said upper region are handrail height above said step.
 14. The spring tread of claim 13 wherein said base comprises a pair of spaced-apart feet having substantially hollow bottoms and openings in said rearward region, and said spring arms extend rearwardly from inside said forward ends of said feet and up through said openings.
 15. The spring tread of claim 14 including fasteners extending through said forward and rearward end regions of said feet, with said forward end fasteners extending through said spring arms.
 16. The spring tread of claim 15 wherein said spring bands are superposed over said spring arms inside said feet and extend rearwardly from inside said forward end regions of said feet and up through said openings. 